ERP-module for Computer Catalogue Automatic Generation

Contents International Conference on Computer Systems and Technologies - CompSysTech’2003

ERP-module for Computer Catalogue Automatic Generation Tzanko Golemanov, Emilia Golemanova Abstract: A set of software modules for computer catalogues creation and use in B2B– communication field is considered. The advantages of this approach over the classic Internet-based E-commerce, the realization steps and the main functionality, which it serves, are discussed. Keywords: Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP-systems), E-commerce

INTRODUCTION The catalogue implementation in communication between the vendor and its clients is worldwide proved practice for more than hundred years. This kind of trade in Bulgaria is not widely used but in recently years there is a considerable growth in this area. Obviously, a qualitative catalogue of the offered goods and services can enhance significantly the competitiveness of a manufacturing or trade company and expand its market space. According to the information location and the client’s access the catalogues can be divided into the following groups: A. paper catalogues; B. Internet based catalogues (or as part of E-commerce stores); C. computer catalogues (CC), distributed as local information systems. A comparative analysis of these kinds of catalogues is shown in Table1.

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Paper catalogue

Advantages convenient for the ordinary • user • •

Internet catalogue

based • • •

maximum access • huge number of articles possible component of an • E-commerce store •

Computer catalogue

• • •

huge number of articles • high performance of the information access low price and high refreshment frequency

Table 1 Disadvantages the price greatly depends on the total print and the number of articles in it low frequency of refreshment difficult distribution inconvenient for the ordinary user difficult refreshment in case of large number of articles problems in case of bad Internet-traffic inconvenient for the ordinary user

The main point of this article is on the catalogues for business partners and as it is evident from the table above, the best choice for B2B-catalogues is to be located and distributed on an electronic carrier. Further the computer catalogue functionality and the ERP-system module for catalogue generation will be considered. –

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International Conference on Computer Systems and Technologies - CompSysTech’2003

GENERAL SCHEME OF USE OF THE COMPUTER CATALOGUE The functional scheme of a catalogue trade with computer catalogue, generated by an ERP-system is shown on Fig.1.

ERP Registry Enterprise Resource Planning System

Vendor RegiCa & DB-Engine Install Package DOC Readers Install Packages

ERP Data Article Base

RegiCa GEN Computer Catalogue Generator

Digital carrier CD-R

DOC Readers Word, Excel, Acrobat

RegiCa INSTALL Computer Catalogue Installer

RegiCa Computer Catalogue

RegiCa Article Base

Client RegiCa Client Price-lists

RegiCa Delivery Orders

Fig.1. Functional Scheme of Computer Catalogue. The function of a computer catalogue passes through the following phases: 1. Definition. The vendor through ERP-module named RegiCa_GEN defines the article base, which will represent the computer catalogue. 2. Generation. The module RegiCa_GEN generates and writes on CD-R autorun CC install package. Copies of this disc are ready for distribution to the clients. –

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International Conference on Computer Systems and Technologies - CompSysTech’2003

3. Installation. When the client puts the received disc in a computer CD-ROM device, it automatically installs the CC client module - RegiCa, the article base and additional products for attached documents visualization. 4. Exploitation. CC is started and the client obtains a quick and easy access to the catalogue data. The user can filter the information on chosen criteria, can create order and send it to the vendor. COMPUTER CATALOGUE GENERTOR RegiCa_GEN The main functionality of the generator RegiCa_GEN is concentrated in the form shown on Fig.2

Fig.2. Computer Catalogue Generator RegiCa_GEN.

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In this system the vendor uses the article base of the ERP-system and can: modify the article structure (names and hierarchy in the article base); activate and deactivate the availability of articles and groups in the future CC; specify prices of the articles, or use rebate (or surplus charge) percent for automatic price generation. As a basis the system uses the current custom prices. define an article description (RichText); attach a picture information to articles (JPEG, Bitmap, WMF, EMF) attach unlimited number of documentary files (Word, Excel, PDF) start the generation of a new CC. –

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International Conference on Computer Systems and Technologies - CompSysTech’2003

To facilitate the access to the stored information, it is possible to filter the article base on several criteria (code, article name, price: >х, ,